The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 08, 1991
Filed:
May. 18, 1989
Scott R Jurell, Hellertown, PA (US);
Eric R Motto, Center Valley, PA (US);
Gordon E Windows, Jr, East Texas, PA (US);
David G Luchaco, Macungie, PA (US);
Dennis M Capewell, Penllyn, PA (US);
Donald F Hausman, Emmaus, PA (US);
Joel S Spira, Coppersburg, PA (US);
Lutron Electronics Co., Inc., Coopersburg, PA (US);
Abstract
A dimming system, which provides a time-varying current from a power source between the electrodes of a gas discharge lamp, simultaneously provides high-frequency, low-level current between the electrodes to sustain an electric discharge in the lamp when the time varying current alone is insufficient. The system provides reduced starting stress in the lamp and, therefore, longer lamp life by delaying the formation of an arc discharge, during start-up, until the electrodes have been heated. The system can be used with standard magnetic ballasts to provide full-range dimming of gas discharge lamps from 3 to 100 percent light output with minimal striations, lamp drop out, and flicker.